[Trailer] Netflix’s Unique Battle Royale ‘Last Samurai Standing’ Arrives in November
Netflix is set to release a new Japanese live-action series called Last Samurai Standing, based on the manga and novel by Shogo Imamura, with illustrations by Katsumi Tatsuzawa.
The series stars Junichi Okada, Yumia Fujisaki, and Kaya Kiyohara, and takes place in Kyoto during the late 19th century Meiji period.
The story follows 292 fighters who gather at Tenryūji Temple after sunset for a dangerous contest. Each participant must take the others’ wooden tags and make it all the way to Tokyo to win a grand prize of ¥100 billion.
One of the warriors, Shujiro Saga, played by Okada, enters the competition with a personal goal: to save his sick wife and child.
Prepare to witness a battle royale like no other. Last Samurai Standing premieres November 13.
— Netflix (@netflix) September 7, 2025
In post-samurai era Japan, 292 fallen samurais are lured into a survival game where the last competitor standing claims 100 billion yen. pic.twitter.com/FM4vWL7z9e
The cast also includes Masahiro Higashide as Kyojin Tsuge, Shota Sometani as Kocha Kamuy, Taichi Saotome as Shikura Adashino, and many others such as Yuya Endo, Taiiku Okazaki, and Yasushi Fuchikami.
Riho Yoshioka plays Shujiro’s wife Shino, while notable historical figures like Ōkubo Toshimichi are portrayed by Arata Iura.
The first two episodes of the six-episode series will premiere at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in the ‘On Screen’ section on September 18, 2025. Netflix will make the full series available worldwide on November 13, 2025. Fans can also now watch the first trailer, which gives a glimpse of the action-packed story and period setting.
Junichi Okada is not only starring in the series but also serving as producer and action choreographer. Michihito Fujii and Kento Yamaguchi are handling the writing and directing, with Office Shirous producing the project.
Okada told reporters, “When Netflix executive producer Mr. Takahashi reached out to me, I was still acting in historical dramas. Back then, I was already thinking of ways to make this genre a hit, not just in Japan, but all over the world. I saw their potential for action, drama, social commentary, and entertainment, but I knew they could be taken further. That’s when I came across Imamura’s novel. It was written in a way that modern audiences could enjoy, and I was excited about the idea of adapting it.”
Creating the series was a major challenge. Directors Okada and Fujii treated the adaptation like producing three feature-length films. They worked hard to keep the story’s core themes while making it visually engaging. Nearly 300 actors were involved, each needing their own costumes, which required detailed planning and coordination from the crew.
With its combination of historical drama, action, and suspense, Last Samurai Standing is shaping up to be one of Netflix’s biggest Japanese originals of the year. The series promises high-stakes battles, deep personal stories, and a visual style that honors the original novel while appealing to modern audiences.
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